This simple saucepan is made from aluminium.The same metal that warplanes were made fromat the Trojan factory on Purley Way.

Saucepans were almost impossible to buyso Trojan workers made them in secret at night.

Happy families and friends did not ask where they came from.

Frederick Andy

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Frederick Andy

Frederick worked at the Trojan factory during the Second World War:

"During the latter part of the warthere was a night shift at Trojansand the very clever man in charge had a good scheme.He had the whole department making cigarette lighters.They had all the tools,they had the steel left over from odd bits and piecesfrom various jobs they were doing.And they, well,might as well use them up,so they did."

"That was done sort of quietly.Then they had a lot of aluminium left over from various items they were makingso they made umpteen milk saucepans.But because these were still on strict ration they had no way of selling them,so they were put into,like a secure store

But eventually they all disappeared.Where they went,I wouldn't like to say."

Getting around wartime shortages

The War demanded a lot of raw materials.People struggled to deal with shortages of basic goodsuntil rationing ended in 1954.

Creative ideas and clever recycling helped.Dodgy deals and secret scams thrived.Trojan workers were making saucepans when they should have been making planes!

The government was desperate to get hold of metal.Railings around parks and gardens were cut down to be made into weapons.

Find out more

The Imperial War Museum covers conflicts involving Britain and the Commonwealth, from the First World War to the present day.

It seeks to provide for, and encourage, the study and understanding of the history of modern war and how it affects our lives.

It has three main branchesin the London region:IWM Museum LambethHMS BelfastIWM Duxford

You can find out moreabout visiting all these venuesand view their collections online